NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LADY BULLDOGS — UAAP/JOAQUI FLORES
Games on Saturday (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 9 a.m. – UST vs UE (men) 11 a.m. – UST vs UE (women) 3 p.m. – DLSU vs AdU (men) 5 p.m. – DLSU vs AdU (women)
DEFENDING champion National University (NU) clobbered Ateneo de Manila University, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15, and zoomed to an early lead in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Bulldogs encountered fiery resistance in the first set but dominated the next two to bite their second straight win for a solo lead in the first round of their title retention bid.
NU has yet to yield a single set in a pristine campaign so far, having dismantled closest rival De La Salle University with a 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 in only 90 minutes in the opening weekend.
Against Ateneo that it had beaten for the seventh straight match since 2022 when they completed a sweet 16-0 sweep to end a 65-year title drought, the Lady Bulldogs needed only 79 minutes.
“It’s a total team effort hopefully, will improve during our next games,” said coach Sherwin Meneses, looking to weave his magic in the collegiate play as well while concurrently steering the ship for Creamline’s dynasty in the Philippine Volleball League.
A balanced attack indeed it was for the Jhocson spikers, with Alyssa Solomon, Season 86’s Finals MVP, taking the cudgels from reigning Season MVP Bella Belen this time around with 12 points on 10 hits.
Another seasoned spiker in Vange Alinsug backstopped Solomon with 10 points on eight hits laced by five digs as Ms. Belen scattered nine points, seven receptions and five digs.
NU nearly absorbed an upset in the first set as Ateneo, even without two key players due to injury, refused to go down without a fight by striking to within 22-23 only for Ms. Alinsug to take over with back-to-back hammers.
That proved to be the last stand for the Blue Eagles, being left in the dust with early eight-point deficits in the next two sets to drop their second straight match.
Lyann de Guzman, AC Miner and Alexia Montoro scored nine apiece as Ateneo, sans Geezel Tsunashima (broken left shin) and JLo Delos Santos (torn left ACL), stayed winless after a debut meltdown against Adamson 25-21, 25-20, 12-25, 15-25, 12-15.
In the men’s division, four-peat champion NU (2-0) staved off Ateneo (1-1), in a gritty 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27 win. It’s the Bulldogs’ 10th straight win over the Blue Eagles since 2018, behind a potent offense led by Leo Ordiales’ 14 points. — John Bryan Ulanday
Games on Thursday (PhilSports Arena) 4 p.m. – Creamline vs Galeries Tower 6:30 p.m. – Nxled vs Petro Gazz
CREAMLINE and Petro Gazz eye the No. 1 seed entering the crucial qualifying playoff round as they battle Galeries Tower and Nxled, respectively, on Thursday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.
Tied at the helm with 9-1 records, a straight-set win by the Cool Smashers over the Highrisers in their 4 p.m. duel would automatically clinch the former the top spot in the one-game qualification phase unfurling on Thursday.
That would mean Creamline would be battling the 12th and last squad after the preliminaries, which could be one among Capital1 (1-10), Galeries Tower (1-9) or Nxled (1-9), for a spot to the best-of-three quarterfinals.
And the dynastic franchise, which is seeking a five-peat feat and a record 11th championship, should vent its ire on Galeries Tower after absorbing its first loss this conference after winning its first 10 matches at the hands of PLDT, 30-28, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 16-14, on Saturday in Antipolo.
But Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said they moved on from that painful defeat.
For Petro Gazz, it is hoping to extend its amazing streak to nine in its 6:30 p.m. showdown with Nxled.
Angels mentor Koji Tzusurabara cautioned his players not to be too complacent against the much-improved Chameleons.
“They (Nxled) played a good last game,” said the veteran Japanese mentor, who is hoping to steer the squad to its first All-Filipino crown to add to the two Reinforced Conference crowns it had already owned.
Thursday’s double offering will be the second to the last play date of the prelims, with the last one slated for Saturday in Passi, Iloilo where ZUS Coffee clashes with PLDT and Chery Tiggo squares off with Choco Mucho. — Joey Villar
Game on Thursday (Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium) 7 p.m. – Chinese Taipei vs Philippines
GETTING beat up by the likes of Lebanon and Egypt in the recent Doha Invitational Cup has stoked a fire in Gilas Pilipinas.
And now the Nationals are out for blood as they shift to the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
First target on their sights is Chinese Taipei, a retooled squad gunning for payback on home ground on Thursday at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.
“We’re trying to erase all the bad juju that happened to us in the Middle East. It was tough,” Tim Cone said on PBA Rush.
He was referring to the blowout losses they received from the Cedars (54-75) and the Pharaohs (55-86) that followed their come-from-behind 74-71 win over host Qatar recently in the run-up to the road assignment in Taipei.
“It was not a lot of fun watching teams beat us up and we knew we should have played better. But again, that is then and that’s the past and they had nothing to do with the Qualifiers or our world ranking or anything,” Mr. Cone said.
“They were truly practice games so again this (Qualifiers) is where we need to be locked in and we’ll find out was that too hard for us, did it exhaust us too much for this or did it prime us for this? We’re hoping it will prime us for the Taiwan game.”
And based on how training in Taipei has been, Mr. Cone liked what he saw.
“I thought practice was really high energy. We wanted to have a positive practice. We wanted to be competing and I thought we saw that,” he said.
“And this is just not a time for us to rest. We can’t afford to rest right now. We just gotta keep pushing and moving forward. And so far, this team has been really, really good about moving forward, putting the last things behind them and just keep on battling. So we expect to come out and battle against Taiwan.”
Gilas has already secured an early ticket to the Asian meet after racking up four wins in as many outings in Group B, including 106-63 rout of the Taiwanese (1-3) in Manila a year ago.
But there are new factors in play in the 7 p.m. return match.
For the Philippines, Kai Sotto is not around to man the fort due to ACL but AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo are now on board after bouts with injuries. For Chinese Taipei, 6-2 Mohammed Al Bachir Gadiaga and 7-foot Brandon Gilbeck are in tow to beef up the holdovers.
“We know they’re going to be a lot, lot better than what we played last time. They got a new import. They got a new coach. They got a couple new players. So we expect a much, much stiffer fight this time around but I think we’re ready for it,” said Mr. Cone. — Olmin Leyba
Games on Thursday (SSC-R Gym) 9 a.m. – AU vs CSB (men/women) 1 p.m. – EAC vs LPU (women/men)
COLLEGE OF ST. BENILDE (CSB) launches its ambitious four-peat feat bid as it clashes with a familiar foe in Arellano University (AU) in Thursday’s start of NCAA Season 100 volleyball at the San Sebastian College Gym.
The Lady Blazers will come in as the heavy favorites after having swept their way to three straight crowns and staying unbeaten in their last 40 outings including some from the pandemic-shortened season five years ago.
Interestingly, CSB, mentored by Jerry Yee, will clash with an AU team that also snared a three-peat prior to the former’s reign of terror.
Game time is at 11 a.m.
But unlike in the past few seasons, the Lady Blazers will be without four of the key cogs to their dynastic rule, setter and last year’s MVP Cloanne Mondonedo, Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Jade Gentapa who have all moved on to ZUS Coffee in the pros.
And that would mean more heavy lifting from the likes of former MVP Micah Go, Wielyn Estoque, Corrine Apostol, Jessa Dorog and Zam Nolasco among others.
Standing in the way of CSB’s dream four-peat is last year’s runner-up Lyceum of the Philippines University, which will try to set in motion its own championship campaign as it tackles Emilio Aguinaldo College at 1 p.m. — Joey Villar
NOVAK DJOKOVIC was stunned 7-6(4) 6-2 by Matteo Berrettini in the Qatar Open first round on Tuesday as the Italian enjoyed his first win over the former world number one.
Berrettini played superbly to knock out the twice champion in one hour 35 minutes and secure his first victory against a top-10 opponent since January 2023.
“It’s something that I’ve been looking to do,” said former world number six Berrettini, who had lost all four of his previous matches against the Serbian.
“I played against him in the most important tournaments on tour, had the honor and the pleasure to play against him. I wish I could have won one of those matches as well.”
World number 35 Berrettini, voted the ATP’s comeback player last year, faces Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the next round.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner who was aiming for a 100th ATP title, was playing his first singles match since retiring from the Australian Open semifinals due to a hamstring injury.
The 37-year-old, who last week said he was “almost fully recovered,” had not lost a first-round match since his 2022 Monte Carlo Masters defeat by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
“I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I was outplayed by just a better player today,” said Djokovic.
“I wasn’t at my desired level, and it could be that I’m still not moving the way I want to move but I played without pain so there is no excuse in that.
“Things are not the same as 10, 15 years ago. I still try to take care of my body on a daily basis and it’s more challenging now, no doubt. I still try to do my very best, given the circumstances.”
Djokovic will now turn his attention to the doubles event, pairing up with Spaniard Fernando Verdasco against Finn Harri Heliovaara and Britain’s Henry Pattem in the quarterfinals. — Reuters
A RECORD 182.8 million unique viewers tuned into Super Bowl LIX for at least one minute, according to new Nielsen data released on Tuesday.
Nielsen previously announced that the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9 in New Orleans averaged a record 127.7 million viewers across Fox, Fox Deportes, Telemundo and streaming services.
The higher numbers announced on Tuesday are from Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel “Reach” methodology. The new metric “more precisely measures out-of-home viewing,” according to Nielsen.
The reach of 182.8 million viewers exceeded the previous record of 182.2 million set one year earlier with Super Bowl LVIII.
Historically, Nielsen has used a Total Audience measurement. The company said it retired that metric in January in favor of the new Big Data + Panel numbers. — Reuters
BERGAMO, ITALY — Club Brugge teenager Chemsdine Talbi’s double helped his side to get a three-goal lead at Atalanta before they held off a second-half onslaught for a 3-1 victory in their Champions League playoff on Tuesday to reach the last 16 by 5-2 on aggregate.
Ferran Jutgla netted the visitors’ other goal as Brugge stunned the Italian side by taking a 3-0 halftime lead, but they had to fight a desperate rearguard action in the second period as the hosts tried to conjure up an unlikely comeback.
Ademola Lookman pulled back one goal for Atalanta but then had a penalty saved by veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who made several other important stops to stymie home hopes and see the Belgian side advance to the next round.
They will face either Lille or Aston Villa, with their opponents to be decided in Friday’s draw.
Brugge took a slender 2-1 lead from last week’s first leg to the Stadio di Bergamo but extended it within three minutes through Talbi.
Jutgla hooked the ball across goal to the 19-year-old, whose quick feet worked a shooting chance and he fired low into the bottom corner of the net from 15 meters.
The visitors doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi could only parry Christos Tzolis’ shot and Talbi fired in the rebound for his second goal.
Three minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first period, Brugge had a third goal from Jutgla’s rasping low shot after catching Atalanta on the counter-attack.
Seconds earlier, the home side had seen Davide Zappacosta’s shot pushed onto the Brugge post by the hand of Mignolet and then a follow-up save before a third effort was cleared off the line by Brandon Mechele.
Atalanta brought on Lookman, recently returned from injury, at the start of the second half in the hope that last season’s Europa League final hero could spark a comeback. — Reuters
Calgary, the modern cosmopolitan city in the areas of the Canadian Prairies and the Canadian Rockies, is fast becoming a fashion center for Filipino creatives and global talents.
One of the most significant fashion events in this burgeoning region which is attracting attention from fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the international media, is the Calgary International Fashion & Arts Week (CIFAW).
CIFAW is a global celebration of fashion as well as a platform for networking, education and talks about trends, inclusivity and the future of the fashion industry. It aims to encourage and showcase creativity, innovation, and collaboration among designers, stylists, models, photographers, and journalists.
It was founded by Spotlight Couronne Internationale, Inc. led by Filipino-Canadians: CEO/President Limuel Hayag Vilela, a producer/designer and former model; and COO/Chief Creative Director Alvin Masangkay Francia, an aviation expert and educator.
CIFAW began as a passion project and hobby for the two enterprising founders, who are deeply enthusiastic about fashion and teaching. The dynamic duo initiated CIFAW as a community event, volunteering their time to provide free classes for kids and teens who had experienced bullying or struggled with self-doubt.
The inaugural event, dubbed “The Fashion Takes Off from New York City” took place in 2017. The event featured three notable designers: Jude Charles, a New York-based fashion designer who had previously paved the way for Limuel to walk the runway in the Big Apple; Vanny Tousignant, an Indonesian-American designer based in New York; and Marco Not Polo, an artist also based in New York.
“The first CIFAW was a massive success, setting the stage for the event’s growth in the following years. Over time, CIFAW has not only grown into a premier annual celebration of diversity and creativity but has also become a launching pad for many of the young talents it nurtured,” Vilela revealed.
Francia shared: “Some of the very first models trained by Limuel and Alvin are now making big waves in the fashion world, gracing the runways of Milan, Paris, London, and New York Fashion Weeks for iconic American, Italian, and French fashion houses.”
To date, CIFAW continues to uphold its mission of empowering individuals through fashion and the arts while shining a global spotlight on the talents it cultivates.
The Dynamic Founders
In the Philippines, Vilela was immersed in fashion. So, producing shows was a natural progression.
“Transitioning from being a model to a brand designer and eventually producing international fashion shows feels like a path that God prepared for me, a journey from nothing to something,” shared Vilela.
CEO/President Limuel Hayag Vilela
Vilela arrived in Canada in 2008. He graduated at the Toronto Film School in 2022. But it was Calgary which quickly became his second home: “This city opened countless doors for my personal and professional growth. It gave me a space to share my passion for production and entertainment, and the community welcomed me as I pursued my dreams. I started from humble beginnings here, and Calgary has given me a platform to contribute something meaningful to the community.”
Francia, being an advocate for education and accessibility, believes in the transformative power of creativity — whether in the classroom or on the runway. With a strong inclination toward the fashion industry, he sees fashion as an art form that educates, inspires, and empowers self-expression.
“I integrate cutting-edge strategies to create engaging and inclusive environments where learning and creativity intersect. My mission is to bridge the gap between education and opportunity, using platforms like fashion and the arts to enable individuals to thrive and reach their fullest potential,” said Francia, who is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Distance Education at the University of the Philippines.
COO/Chief Creative Director Alvin Masangkay Francia
However, the duo soon found out that starting a business related to fashion in Calgary — a city widely recognized as “cowboy country” — came with its unique set of challenges.
“At the outset, we faced skepticism about the legitimacy of our venture. Some questioned whether fashion could be considered a serious business and asked about our past portfolio. This doubt made the first couple of years particularly tough as we worked to establish our credibility. Securing clients was another significant hurdle,” said Vilela, who hails from Quezon Province.
As Filipino entrepreneurs, they also encountered cultural assumptions. Many believed their business catered exclusively to the Filipino community in Calgary. Overcoming this perception and making their events and services inclusive for everyone was a major struggle.
“Despite these challenges, we persevered. Through passion, hard work, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of fashion, we gradually earned the trust and support of the community,” Vilela said. “We’re proud to have built a brand that not only thrives but also celebrates inclusivity, creativity, and the potential of fashion to inspire and empower.”
Vilela and Francia emphasize that there is no strict qualification process to be able to be part of CIFAW. We both strongly believe in giving a platform to everyone, especially new and up-and-coming creatives who might not have had a chance to shine yet.
Francia added: “Fashion and arts are such a perfect combo — they complement and elevate each other. Calgary is such a vibrant and diverse city, and we want to reflect that in our platform. So, the only thing we really look for is passion. You have to love what you do, and it has to show in your work. And of course, we want you to be as creative as possible. Blow us away. Make us go, ‘Wow!’ That’s all we ask for.”
Today, the duo not only produceCIFAW but also Calgary Kids Fashion Week, Edmonton Kids Fashion Week, Winnipeg Kids Fashion Week, SCI PH New York, and SCI PH Paris.
A Milestone Moment at the ‘Marriott Moments A-FAIR’
In its relatively young existence, CIFAW has contributed to Calgary’s reputation as an emerging and burgeoning fashion capital. This year, this same exuberance and vitality will be extending to Manila as CIFAW will be promoting Philippine fashion globally.
So, whether you’re from Calgary, Manila, Paris, or anywhere in between, as long as you have the passion and the creativity, CIFAW is a platform for you.
In partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, and Themes and Motifs, the much-anticipated “Home: A Celebration of Love and Life’s Winning Moments — The 9th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week” and “Marriott Bonvoy’s Marriott Moments A-FAIR: Dream Weddings and Events Expo” will happen at the MGBX Exhibition Hall in Marriott Grand Ballroom on July 26 and July 27, 2025.
“CIFAW is absolutely not exclusive to Filipino creatives — it’s open to global talents as well. While we’re proud of our roots and love supporting the Filipino community, this platform was created to celebrate diversity and inclusivity,” Francia clarified.
Vilela added: “My hope is that this endeavor serves as a bridge connecting Canadians, Filipinos, and the rest of the world through fashion, art, culture, and tourism. I want it to inspire every Filipino to take pride in their roots and in the place we call home — the Philippines.”
It was important for Francia and Vilela that their company name included the word “international” — because from day one, both dreamed big.
Partnering with Marriott Manila this July is a huge step for us. It’s a milestone that proves we’re moving in the right direction. Our plans are to stay true to our core values: collaboration and inclusivity,” Vilela said.
“What’s really exciting about this year is that we’re expanding our mission. This partnership in Manila will not only bring global attention to Filipino creativity but also shine a spotlight on the beauty and culture of the Philippines,” Francia concluded. “So, our grand plan is simple yet ambitious: keep growing, keep collaborating, and keep making sure CIFAW is a space where fashion, arts, and culture collide beautifully — while creating opportunities and celebrating diversity on a global stage.”
For more information about Spotlight Couronne Internationale Inc Productions and future events, please visithttps://www.scimodels.ca or email us at info@scimodels.cafollow us on@scimodels.
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The Asian Consulting Group (ACG) has taken the lead in strengthening investment opportunities in the Philippines through a strategic alliance with the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Feb. 10 at the BCCP’s headquarters in Taguig City, underscoring their shared goal of fostering seamless tax compliance and investment strategies for foreign businesses, especially British companies.
Mon Abrea, Founder and CEO of ACG, together with Hazel Joy Mendoza, ACG President and COO, formalized the partnership through the ceremonial MoU signing with BCCP Executive Chairman Chris Nelson. This collaboration highlights the ACG’s commitment to supporting international investors navigating the Philippine business landscape.
“Our collaboration with BCCP demonstrates a unified commitment to providing seamless tax and regulatory solutions for investors. We aim to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and innovation to flourish,” said Mr. Abrea.
The BCCP, with its focus on British companies, partners with the ACG in bringing the 2025 International Tax and Investment Roadshow (ITIR) to London, UK. The Chamber plays a key role in encouraging British firms to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines.
Following the MoU signing, the ACG met with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) regarding its joint investment mission. Present during the meeting were Mon Abrea, Hazel Joy Mendoza, and PEZA Director-General Theo Panga. Key highlights from the discussions included the ACG’s plans to organize an exclusive tax briefing for PEZA locators on March 28, 2025, with BIR Deputy Commissioner Atty. Marissa Cabreros and PEZA Deputy Director Atty. Ross Vincent S. Sy.
The 2025 International Tax and Investment Roadshow organized by the ACG will again travel around the world to promote investing in the Philippines, starting with Asia, which includes Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and India. It will continue to Oceania with Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, followed by New Zealand. The roadshow will also visit key locations in the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as Doha, Qatar. In Europe, the campaign will span multiple cities in Spain, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. The roadshow across the Americas will include Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the United States and then Canada, initially Toronto and Calgary.
The ACG invites stakeholders and partners to join this transformative investment campaign, contributing to the Philippines’ emergence as a premier investment destination for global business opportunities.
Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.
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Miniatures of people with computers are seen in front of binary codes and words “cyber attack’ in this illustration taken July 19, 2023. — REUTERS
MANILA – The Philippines has detected foreign attempts to access intelligence data, but its cyber minister said on Tuesday no breaches have been recorded so far.
Attempts to steal data are wide-ranging, said minister for information and communications Ivan Uy. Advanced Persistent Threats or APTs have repeatedly attempted but failed to infiltrate government systems, suggesting the country’s cyber-defences have held firm.
APTs are a general term for cyber actors or groups, often state-backed, that engage in malicious cyber activities.
“These have been present for quite some time, and threats come from many actors, but a big majority of them are foreign,” Mr. Uy told Reuters.
Some of these threats, which Mr. Uy referred to as “sleepers” had been been embedded in systems before being exposed by government’s cyber security efforts.
“Why are these things operating in those systems, without even anybody calling it out?,” he said.
So far, the government has not seen any cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, he said.
“Hopefully it’s because our cyber defences and cyber security are strong enough,” he added.
Mr. Uy acknowledged the difficulty of attributing cyber intrusions to specific attackers, as they sometimes leave misleading digital traces.
However, the government is working through diplomatic channels and sharing intelligence with the military, including with other countries, to validate threats and strengthen defenses, he said.
Last year, the Philippine said it thwarted attempts by hackers operating in China to break into websites and e-mail systems of the Philippine president and government agencies, including one promoting maritime security.
Mr. Uy described the escalating cyber threats as part of a global arms race, where nations and criminal organizations exploit digital vulnerabilities for financial or strategic gain.
“World War III is happening and it is cyber,” Mr. Uy said. “These weapons are non-kinetic. They are cyber, digital, virtual, but it’s happening, but the attacks and defences are happening as we speak, without any physical manifestation.”
Beyond cyberattacks, Mr. Uy has also flagged a surge in deepfakes and what he referred to as “fake news media outlets” aiming to manipulate public opinion ahead of the Philippines’ mid-term elections in May, and the ministry has deployed tools to combat them.
“Misinformation and disinformation are riskier with respect to democracies like ours, because we rely on elections, and elections is based on personal opinion,” Mr. Uy said. — Reuters
MANILA – The United States condemned the “dangerous” maneuvers of a Chinese navy helicopter that endangered the safety of a Philippine government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also called on China “to refrain from coercive actions and settle its disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.”
The Philippines said late on Tuesday it was “deeply disturbed” by the Chinese navy’s “unprofessional and reckless” flight actions and that it will make a diplomatic protest.
Manila’s coast guard said the Chinese navy helicopter performed dangerous flight maneuvers when it flew close to a government aircraft conducting surveillance over the Scarborough Shoal, endangering the lives of its pilots and passengers, actions.
China disputed the Philippines’ account, saying on Tuesday its aircraft “illegally intruded” into China’s airspace and accused its Southeast Asian neighbor of “spreading false narratives”.
Named after a British ship that was grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, the Scarborough Shoal is one of the most contested maritime feature in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have clashed repeatedly.
“The Philippines has undeniable sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc,” its maritime council said in a statement using Manila’s name for the shoal.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, putting it at odds with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
A 2016 arbitration ruling invalidated China’s expansive claim but Beijing does not recognize the decision. – Reuters
Following the MoU signing, the ACG met with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) regarding its joint investment mission. Present during the meeting were Mon Abrea, Hazel Joy Mendoza, and PEZA Director-General Theo Panga. Key highlights from the discussions included the ACG’s plans to organize an exclusive tax briefing for PEZA locators on March 28, 2025, with BIR Deputy Commissioner Atty. Marissa Cabreros and PEZA Deputy Director Atty. Ross Vincent S. Sy.
